The Editor
Some yet-to-identified assailants late on Thursday invaded the Oko community, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing no fewer than four persons suspected to be students and injuring about seven others.
The reason for the attack had yet to be fully ascertained, but it was suspected to be cult-related as sources in the area said the assailants arrived the area and started shooting unprovoked, thereby causing mayhem.
Although, eyewitnesses and residents in the area confirmed that four persons were killed instantly and about seven injured, police authorities gave the casualty figure at two.
One of the sources in the area said, “The incident happened late yesterday(Thursday). The armed men arrived near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko and started shooting unprovoked. At least seven students of the polytechnic, were shot today. Four casualties were while the remaining students are in critical condition at local hospitals.
“The hoodlums also went away with about two persons whose whereabouts have yet to be known. The incident caused mayhem as students and other residents in the area scampered to safety.”
A viral video of the incident circulating online showed two of the victims — a male and a female students — lying in a pool of their own blood and gasping for breath in what is believed to be a hospital.
When contacted on Friday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a statement, attributed it a cult-related attack.
Ikenga said normalcy has returned as police authorities have taken over the scene of the attack and already acting on necessary information from some eyewitnesses for the possible arrest of the armed hoodlums.
He said, “The police operatives led by the Area Commander, Aguata, complemented by the Joint Security Force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence and Vigilante Operatives have taken over the scene of an alleged cult related shooting by 8.40pm on June 19, 2025 at the Total Junction and Tipper junction all in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area.
“Two victims including a lady who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital were rescued. Sadly, the incident recorded the death of two persons and the alleged abduction of two others.
“An eyewitness account revealed that the armed criminals operating with a motorcycle and a black Lexus 350 SUV without a plate number, started shooting indiscriminately at the Total junction.
“Four persons were allegedly wounded, including a lady that is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The two others were allegedly abducted at the Tipper junction before they fled the scene.
“Meanwhile, the Command has sued for calm as the Operatives are already acting on some clues from the scene and leveraging on necessary information from some eyewitnesses for the possible arrest of the hoodlums. Further developments would be communicated, please.”
